HIV-related stigma in England: experiences of gay men and heterosexual African migrants living with HIV

Abstract

Focus group research was undertaken in three English cities among gay and bisexual men (British and non-British), heterosexual African women and heterosexual African men, all with diagnosed HIV. It was found that prevalent social discourses of homophobia, racism and xenophobia underpin individuals’ experiences of HIV-related stigma. Members of marginalised communities themselves employ HIV-related stigma as a governance mechanism to exclude positive people from tightly woven networks of support.